NS Purchasing - Raftelis Financial Consultant - Efland Sewer Rates Study

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~a T ~•~f~ ~~rw~~• EFLAND SEWER SYSTEM Proposal for Rate 5tudyfor Small wastewater Collection Utility A successful meeting ensures that project partiapants are in mutual agreement on project goals, expectations, and assignment of respansibikties. Accomplishing these objectives wil help to ensure that the project progresses as smootbly as possible. Prior o the kick off meeting, we ~ prepare a detailed data request list that will. identify the in.formativn needed to complete the scope of woxk. l~or this study, it is :likely that the data requested will include: • Current and historical Operating Budgets that include data supporting the allocation of costs to the ~flaud System; • The most recent Capital Improvements Plan ~"CIP"~ that identifies the specific projects associated with the F Hand System. • Current utility policies, procedures and regulatory requirements; and • historical billing data and account data for customers served by the Efland System. Data Collection and Review A padmary goal of this task is to obtain a thorough understanding of the financial, opera~tiooa, regulatory, and political environment and understand the concerns regarding the current rates assessed to the ~flan.d System customers. Historical information will be reviewed related to costs, .dawn, capital spending, and revenues generated, to provide a better understanding of operating characteristics and to develop appropriate trends and growth factors for developing financial forecasts. During the data collecrion and review process, we will begin tv identify assumptions used to allocate and project costs that will be integrated into our model As these assumptions are identified, County representatives will have an oppo~.unity to review our findings to ensure that the assumptions make sense with regard to the County's pricing objectives. The objective of this task is two-fold. T'he first is for the County, with RFC's assistance, to identify and prioritise their rate setting ob jectives and to identify any potential oppart~anities to adjust the existing rate structure such that it more effectively addresses the County's pricing objectives. The second vb jecrive of this task is to develop an understanding of the County's operational and f nancial. data. Pro'ect Mana ement Consistent and competent project management is required to ensure project success and adherence to timelines and budgets. Our management approach stresses camlmunication, teamwork, objectivity, and accountability fox meeting project objectives. Management responsibilities extend to general adnai~ist~ative duties such as client correspondence, billing, project documentation, and administration of the study control plan. Project management components acre as follows. .A. Assignment of key project` beam members including. • A strong Project Manager, Lex ~w"armath, who is familiar urcth the County"s water and wastewater systems as well as regional utility trends and issues. lie will be responsible for RAFfELIS FINANCIAL6 CONSULTANTS, INC.